Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

A young woman takes the journey of a lifetime along the jaw-dropping beaches of South Africa in the all-new surfing adventure Blue Crush 2, coming to Blu-ray and DVD June 7, 2011.  Blue Crush 2 follows a high-spirited California surfer girl as she treks across the magnificent beaches of South Africa, making new friends, finding romance and riding epic waves.

Filmed along one of the most exotic and dangerous shorelines in the world, Blue Crush 2 is directed and produced by Mike Elliott (Beethoven’s Big Break).  A gorgeous and talented young cast including Sasha Jackson (“One Tree Hill”), Sharni Vinson (Step Up 3-D), Elizabeth Mathis (Tron: Legacy, Unstoppable), Ben Milliken (Newcastle) and newcomer Chris Fisher is joined by some of the world’s preeminent surfers at the renowned “home of the perfect wave,” Jeffrey’s Bay (aka “J-Bay”), as well as other spectacular South African surf destinations including North Beach, Glenmore, Banana Beach and Coffee Bay. 

The film also features many world-class female surfers from the professional Roxy team, including Sally Fitzgibbons, Bianca Buitendag, Rosy Hodge, Tanika Hoffman and Danielle Le Roux. Additional top female surfers featured in the film include Laura Enever, Sarah Baum, Roxy Louw, Tarryn Chudleigh, Kirsty Delport, Mia Hordyk, Morag Steele and Heidi Palmboom.  Performing daring stunts and conquering some of the wildest surf ever captured on film on the men’s side are surfing legends Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow and Travis Logie as well as big wave surfer Grant “Twiggy” Baker, Rudi Palmboom Sr., Casey Grant, Warwick Wright, Mikey February and Andrew “Roosta” Lange.

BONUS FEATURES
The Blu-ray™ and DVD version of Blue Crush 2 includes the following bonus features:
• DELETED SCENES
• GAG REEL
• THE MAKING OF BLUE CRUSH 2—Dive into the world of Blue Crush 2 as the cast and crew of the film offer an inside look at the film’s behind-the-scenes secrets.
• SURF SAFARI! FILMING IN SOUTH AFRICA—From Durban’s bustling street markets to the dazzling wildlife of the African plains, Blue Crush 2 showcases the beauty of South Africa in all its diversity. The cast and crew take viewers on a very personal guided tour of this amazing location. 
• RIPPING IT! SHOOTING THE SURF SCENES—The filmmakers reveal the intricate techniques they used to create some of the most awesome surf ever seen.  They also take viewers behind the scenes to look at how the film’s stars trained for the intense surfing sequences. 
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR MIKE ELLIOTT AND CAST
Blu-ray™ exclusive features include:
• BD-LIVE™ – Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to access the latest trailers and more!

Narrated in the U.S. by Indy and NASCAR racer Sam Hornish Jr., Roary the Racing Car launched on Sprout® in October of 2008, but the premiere DVD has a treat for their fans featuring episodes never-before-seen on TV.

SYNOPSIS
Start your engines for fun and excitement with Roary the Racing Car and his racetrack buddies, Tin Top, Zizzy, Dragga and mischievous Maxi, as they zoom into exciting high-speed adventures. The racetrack becomes a pit stop of great times as everyone goes the extra mile for Marsha’s birthday party, Big Chris becomes a babysitter and Rusty is on a roll…without wheels! Put your pedal to the metal and buckle up for big-time fun from START to FINISH!

Episodes include:
• “Stars and Cars” – Big Chris has been invited to appear on a TV karaoke show.  The cars are worried that the success will go to his head and he’ll leave Silver Hatch forever.
• “Rusty Takes a Trip” – Rusty is fed up with sitting in one place.  Roary and the other cars plan a special surprise for him, but Rusty soon decides he prefers life without wheels!
• “Big Chris Babysits” – Big Chris has been left in charge of the track and keeping an eye on Roary and Zizzy.  But is Big Chris the one that needs looking after?
• “Roary Gets it Wrong” – Farmer Green has given Roary lots of packages to deliver to everybody around the track.  How will Roary remember which package belongs to who?
• “Computer Calamity” – Mr. Carburettor has decided that Silver Hatch needs to move with the times and do everything with computers. But Big Chris is a traditional mechanic, so what happens when the two disagree?
• “Big Chris Forgets” – It’s Marsha’s birthday, and Big Chris is in charge of organizing a surprise for her.  Why does everybody keep reminding him what he needs to do?  He wouldn’t forget anything… would he?!

DVD BONUS FEATURES
• “Roary’s Day at the Seaside” Music Video

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Running Times: 55 minutes
Program Website:  www.roarytheracingcar.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/roary-the-racingcar
Website: www.hitentertainment.com

Our youth film critics reviewed the upcoming made for TV movie, “Field of Vision” this week and it was an absolute hit for ages 10 through 14. The theme is anti-bullying but it’s definitely more than that. We see a young boy, Cory, who is a foster child and moved from school to school. When he is transferred to a new high school, he joins the football team and is bullied by a few of the guys. The team captain realizes he needs Cory and confronts the bullies who just happen to be kids he’s been fest friends with since fourth grade. The storyline captivates both girls and boys. The football action grabs the attention of the boys and interaction of the team captain’s mother with Cory’s mom seems to appeal to girls’ sensibilities.

Here’s what our kids had to say:  

This movie is very inspiring. Tyler learns that it is important to do the right thing, even when it means sacrificing your relationship with your best friends. Tyler’s mother, Jodi, sees a struggling student, who she reaches out to. I recommend this movie to kids ages nine and up. It is a great family movie, but younger kids might not understand the complications between the characters and the drama that occurs. Gabriella Chu, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

This is a really good movie. It’s about an orphan boy who is really smart really good on the football field. However some people at his new school think he is trying to make them look bad. I think the acting in this is phenomenal, especially Joe Adler who plays Cory. I think that this is appropriate for ages 10 and up because it’s more psychological than visual. Sam Connan, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Field of Vision is a great movie about standing up for the truth and always pushing towards your goals. This movie is very enjoyable. My favorite scene would have to be when Cory, played by Joseph Adler, and Lucy exchange books for the first time because her compassion towards him is very sweet. This is a wonderful family film as it gives families a chance to talk about the important issue of bullying. Raven Devanney, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Hair, the musical, was such a huge hit when I was in college that I, and my college roommate, Christine Lahti took off on a road trip to New York City to audition for the road company. We made one wee mistake in that we arrive one week early, and had to get back to Ann Arbor for finals so we couldn’t stay. Oh well….

I’m delighted to hear that Hair is being released on Blu-Ray June 7th. If you’ve never seen it. This is a fun romp you’ll enjoy and it so exemplifies the social-political movement of the 60s. Fresh off the farm, Claude Bukowski (John Savage) arrives in New York City to join the army, but he’s quickly swept up in the counterculture when a group of hippies introduce him to their psychedelic world…and a beautiful rich girl named Sheila (Beverly D’Angelo). When the group’s leader (Treat Williams) tries to keep Claude out of Vietnam, the consequences are shocking for everyone involved.

13-year-old twins, Jonah and Daniel Menegaz reviewed Pirates of the Caribbean for KIDS FIRST! this week and it was a slam dunk hit with both of them. Here’s a link to their videotaped review and below is a summary: 

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is a continuation of the adventures of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), this time in a race to the Fountain of Youth along with femme fatale Angelica (Penelope Cruz), the infamous pirate Black Beard (Ian McShane) and crusty Barbossa (Geoffery Rush).

The movie is very exciting, with a lot of action and a healthy dose of well placed humor.  Not only is the acting good, but the action choreography is amazing as well.

The roles of the characters are perfectly portrayed by the actors playing them.  The CGI is so real, (especially of the mermaids) you are sure to be on the edge of you seat, almost in the movie.

But if you want to feel like you’re really a part of all the action, see it in Imax or 3D… or both. The picture in Imax 3D is astonishing and helped make the movie all it could be. The soundtrack is also very well played, setting the tone of each If you’re looking for a good movie, go see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  You’re guaranteed to have a great time!  Daniel Menegas age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a very entertaining action-adventure movie. The fight scenes and snappy dialogue are set up in just the right way to make the movie captivating.  As the fourth installation to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, On Stranger Tides follows characters Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), former girlfriend-turned pirate Angelina (Penelope Cruz), Jack’s nemesis Black Beard (Ian McShane) and the salty Barbossa (Geoffery Rush) all trying to find the Fountain of Youth.  According to pirate legend, a prophecy states Black Beard will be killed and stabbed through the heart by a one- legged man, so they set sail to find to the infamous fountain before the one- legged man finds them.
        
The sword fighting scenes are very well choreographed – like the actors are actually fighting. It’s how I imagine actual pirates would fight. Job well done.
        
I also thought the sound effects are great – they just make the movie. The clash of the swords, the rocking of boats, all set up in the perfect time, not a sound out of place. The music compliments the movie wonderfully. The orchestra seems to capture and define each scene flawlessly, and really sets the mood of the film.
        
The plot line of the movie is interesting and the numerous clever plot twists are fun but easy enough to follow.
        
The performances of the actors are awesome too. My favorite character is Johnny Depp, who plays the role of Captain Jack Sparrow. I might be biased because he is one of my favorite actors, but I thought he is hilarious.  The other characters are believable and fun to watch, too, so all in all, it’s a movie to see. Jonah Menegas age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow and is joined by Penelope Cruz, playing a woman from his past. He’s not sure if it’s love — or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard, Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past. Trailer

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D will open this Friday on a record 402 Imax screens internationally. The digitally re-mastered version of the studio picture will be simultaneously released by Imax on 257 screens domestically and 139 screens overseas.

Directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides stars Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. Hollywood Reporter review.